Providence: A deadly shooting at Brown University on Saturday left two students dead and several others injured, triggering panic across the Ivy League campus and prompting a massive manhunt for the suspect, authorities said.
According to university officials and law enforcement, the shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley engineering building, a key academic facility where students were present during the ongoing final examination period. Reports of gunfire led to an immediate active-shooter alert, with students and staff instructed to shelter in place as police rushed to secure the area.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that two Brown University students were killed in the attack. At least eight others sustained gunshot wounds, while another person was injured by bullet fragments. Most of the victims are believed to be students, though officials said investigations were continuing to confirm identities and circumstances.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as students fled corridors, barricaded themselves in classrooms, or hid under desks while heavily armed police units cleared buildings one by one. Emergency medical teams transported the wounded to nearby hospitals, where several victims were reported to be in critical condition.
Authorities said the suspect, described as a male dressed in black and possibly wearing a mask, fled the scene and remained at large late Saturday. Surveillance footage has been released to assist in identifying the attacker, and shell casings recovered from the site are being analyzed as part of the investigation. Law enforcement agencies expanded the search to surrounding neighbourhoods, increasing patrols across Providence.
Brown University President Christina Paxson expressed deep grief over the tragedy, calling it a devastating day for the campus community. The university cancelled remaining activities, closed campus facilities, and activated counselling and support services for students, faculty, and staff affected by the violence.
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee described the shooting as “unthinkable” and said state authorities were working closely with local police and federal agencies. U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident and extended condolences to the victims’ families, adding that federal law enforcement was assisting in the investigation.
The attack comes amid heightened concerns over gun violence in the United States, particularly incidents targeting educational institutions. With downtown Providence crowded due to holiday events and weekend activity, police urged residents to remain vigilant and report any information related to the suspect.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and warned that details may evolve as more evidence is gathered. Brown University and city authorities pledged continued updates as the campus mourns one of the most serious acts of violence in its history.